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On 14 July 2021, the European Commission adopted the 'fit for 55' package of legislative proposals to meet the new EU objective of a minimum 55 % reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030. The package is part of the Commission's European Green Deal, which aims to set the EU firmly on the path towards net zero GHG emissions (climate neutrality) by 2050. The fit for 55 package includes a regulation establishing a new social climate fund (SCF). The aim of the SCF is to help vulnerable households ...

The Russian war against Ukraine has led to high operating costs for the seafood sector. In late March 2022, the EU responded with temporary State aid and exceptional support for the current programming period under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). On 23 April 2022, the Commission adopted a new proposal amending the fund for the 2014-2020 programming period, so that its remaining budget can also be used to support the sector. During the July plenary session, Parliament ...

This is the fourth briefing within a series exploring citizens' expectations and recommendations in the context of the Conference on the Future of Europe, and presenting the European Parliament's response. The briefing focuses on citizens' proposals relating to EU common values, especially the rule of law. Citizens have placed EU values, including democracy, the rule of law and the protection of human rights, at the core of a common European identity, and discussed ways to enhance and protect these ...

In the context of the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021-2027, the European Commission published a proposal for a regulation on the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund (CF) on 29 May 2018. The new single regulation on the ERDF and CF (previously covered by two separate regulations) identifies the specific objectives and scope of support for both funds, including non-eligible activities. The majority of ERDF funding will focus on smart growth and the green economy ...

European political parties are transnational political alliances made up of national parties from the same political family. Since July 2004, they have been able to receive funding from the EU general budget. The current Regulation 1141/2014, applicable since 2017, tightened the requirements for parties' recognition, funding and spending. Yet, some parties (and their affiliated foundations) found loopholes in the legal framework. Targeted amendments to the regulation adopted in 2018 and 2019 sought ...

Vice-President Dombrovskis and Commissioner Gentiloni have been invited to the first Recovery and Resilience Dialogue under the Recovery and Resilience Facility Regulation. This briefing addresses the following subjects: the Recovery and Resilience Facility and its scrutiny; the framework for defining and assessing Recovery and Resilience Plans and the procedures and timelines for their adoption; the financing of the Facility; data on the current economic situation and some estimates on the impact ...

The 2018 European Commission's proposal to revise the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund, modified under the 2020 recovery plan for Europe, introduces changes to eligibility criteria, co-financing rules and the mobilisation procedure. Outside the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) ceilings, it should continue to serve as a solidarity and emergency fund used on an ad hoc basis. Following an early second-reading agreement reached in January 2021, Parliament is expected to vote in April ...

In the past decade, asset management companies (AMCs) have been an effective tool for relieving banks of large portfolios of non-performing loans (NPLs). Managed over time, AMCs can reduce the financial burden on the overall system. This paper is based on the existing literature and EU experiences of national AMCs created in the aftermath of the global financial crisis. It discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using AMCs, and considers the key elements in their design.

On 31 October 2019, the European Commission adopted a legislative package aimed at ensuring the continuation of the current common agricultural policy (CAP) until the legislation on the post 2020 CAP is in force. The package includes a proposal for a CAP transitional regulation setting out a number of adjustments to current CAP regulations, concerning their applicability beyond 2020 with new financial allocations. This proposal introduces transitional provisions and amendments that are necessary ...

Initially planned to discuss only the EU response to the coronavirus pandemic, recent developments required EU leaders to dedicate attention to other issues during the European Council video-conference meeting of 19 November 2020. In this context, they addressed notably the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), specifically the rule-of-law conditionality linked to the MFF, and the fight against terrorism. While the vast majority of Member States agree with the compromise reached between negotiators ...